Would you believe that as of Monday there were still keeper stripers being dragged out of the surf in New Jersey? Well there are, along with cod and blackfish offshore and a host of freshwater species.
At this juncture, it’s not looking too promising for an ice-fishing season in the Garden State. The sustained frigid weather needed to create safe ice is not on the horizon, according to the 10-day forecast for most of the state. But don’t let the lack of ice keep you from fishing. Some fishermen might consider this extended open-water season a blessing, so be sure to take advantage of it. Pickerel are still prowling, as are plus-size panfish. Black bass may be a little slow in the cold water, but the report from Dow’s is that a few hybrid stripers are still hitting jigs and live baits.
The walleye bite is right on schedule in the Delaware River, and anglers are catching some of these pike-perch
In saltwater, the headboats are heading to deeper water looking for the biggest of the big blackfish – after all the world record was caught in January. The cold water has driven the big tog farther offshore and the fleet has followed. Lately, some nice cod have been mixing in with the tog, giving anglers some fun mixed bag action. The tautog are much better fighters, but the codfish are better eating. Sounds like a winning combination.
Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle weighed in several bass in 2012, the biggest being a 35-inch, 14-pounder that went for a clam bait fished on the bottom. Reports are that there are still huge numbers of sand eels out front, so slim lures are catching fish as well as bait.
The action on bass continues up the coast to Sandy Hook where worms and clams are doing most of the damage, while a handful of fish are being stuck on jigs as well. Just remember, there is no bass fishing permitted in inlets or backwaters until March 1.
Best Bets for the Weekend
The weekend weather looks bearable, so you may be able to take that first surfcasting trip of 2012 with a reasonable shot at putting something on the beach. I’m split on the best approach, however. Spiking a rod with clams or worms would be more likely to draw a strike from the coldwater stripers, but covering water with a 8- to 9-foot rod and small sand eels imitations might help you locate a school of fish. It all comes down to which kind of fishing you are most comfortable with. One note on the bait dunking – call around to see what is available. Clam and worm supplies are pretty scant this time of year, and you may have to settle for the salted or frozen variety.
In freshwater, don’t despair over the open water – embrace it. Take out the johnboat or kayak or canoe, or snug on the hip boots and hit a lake, pond or stream near your house.
This is the time of year for trout, and Round Valley ranks high on the list of places to look for cruising rainbows and browns. Walleye in the Delaware are another option, and hybrid striped bass in Hopatcong top off the list.